The 67s organization created a lot of energy to start the night with the Japanese drummers in the concourse and to open the game. If the guys weren’t already pumped, this would have helped. But judging from how the game started, they were already seriously up for this game.

The Ottawa immediately controlled the game getting quick shots on Murphy early in the game from Ryan Martindale. They were moving, stealing the puck, rubbing the Bulls players off the puck, getting shots on Murphy, basically keeping the Bulls on their heels for the most part. There were numerous good scoring chances but they just could not finish and Murphy played strong.

Finally, with 8:40 to go in the opening frame, Ryan Martindale scored on the backhand from the top of the crease on a feed from the back of the net from Tyler Toffoli on a play that started with the hard work of Michael Latta. I think that’s a line we are going to see a lot of this year and we are going to LOVE it! They quickly followed up with another good scoring chance by Carnevale.

Belleville finally got organized in the offensive zone and for some reason the 67s kinda fell apart and the Bulls evened it up on a questionable non-call when Neal was draped over Perugini. It was only their 3rd shot on goal.

The goal gave the Bulls some spark and they briefly controlled the game getting a couple of good scoring chances. But the 67s prevailed ending the period with a good scoring chance from Latta.

Belleville started the second period with some jump but the 67s eventually got control again, with scoring chances again but unable to finish. Belleville drew first blood when Tyler Randell picked off a juicy rebound and had the open net. But the lead was short-lived as the 67s scored right off the next face off. Michael Latta got the first shot and Corey Cowick picked up the rebound and beat Murphy top shelf. Thomas Kiriakou had the second assist (for winning the face off that started it all).

Ottawa regained the lead on a great play when Michael Latta chipped the puck up ice to a streaking Tyler Toffoli. Tyler couldn’t catch up with it but Ryan Martindale got it to Michael Latta just to the side of the net who put it home.

Then Jon Carnevale and Tyler Randell dropped the gloves right off the face off. I didn’t get any good pictures but I would give the call to Carnevale. He doesn’t look like a scrapper to see him but he sure likes throwing his body around and won’t blink at dropping the gloves. Some good throws by both players but Jon got the take-down.

Not a lot of penalties called in the first two periods but they proved to be Ottawa’s undoing. The first one was a short handed goal scored when Ryan was beat by a chip off the boards by Johnstone . Tipoff created the odd-man rush, received the pass and went around Perugini glove-side to score the tying goal. Then Belleville scored the game-winning-goal on a 5-on-3 for about 1:03 with Latta in the box first for hooking and later Demers for delay-of-game. Shawn Lalonde tucked it in the corner. Cory Tanaka and Eric Tangradi got the assists. And that was the scoring for the game.

Ottawa continued to press for the tying goal but there was no getting through the NHL-caliber Murphy. He made some great saves to steal this game for his team.

When it was all over, Ottawa had outplayed and outshot Belleville 43 – 25 but it was the Bulls who won the game. It was a great game to watch even in the loss. Everyone worked hard and this young team, still without three key players (2 at camp and 1 suspended) gave this 4th ranked team (in Canada) a very good run for their money. The Bulls were pretty much fully stocked – only missing PK Subban (who was playing in the Montreal game where the Sens were smoked 5 – 0. Subban’s claim to fame – a 5-minute fighting major). It looks like the 67s will be a whole lotta fun to watch and if Martindale gets any finish going, he’s going to be outstanding. And Toffoli is only getting getter by the game.

The organization put on a great game-day – from the Japanese drummers to the trampoline artists during the second intermission. It was really high energy. I always wonder what the kids from overseas think about all this fuss over junior hockey.

It’s on the road for the rest of the weekend with games in Belleville and Oshawa. That will be three in a row for Perugini. The rest of the team will have to be very strong defensively to help out their goalie.